Darwin's Rib by Robert S. Root-Bernstein - Essay Example

Darwin’s Rib: Root-Bernstein’s Lesson In his lesson, “Darwin’s Rib,” Professor Robert S. Root-Bernstein’s encourages his students to remain skeptical, and employ logic and evidence in their approach to science. A student declares that males have one fewer pair of ribs than women, based on the Biblical assertion that God took a rib from Adam to create Eve. In order to support the fact of biological evolution, Root-Bernstein employs evidence and reason. Firstly, he cites the proven failure of the Lamarckian theory of inheritance.

Egg cells, containing unalterable genetic information, are formed before birth, and somatic modifications cannot be inherited by offspring. On this basis, men can only have the normal number of ribs, irrespective of whether God removed one of Adam’s ribs. Secondly, as ribs are not a sex-linked characteristic, there is no reason for males and females to differ in this aspect. Sexual dimorphism is not necessary in ribs. Root-Bernstein, in line with his belief in religious freedom, goes on to reason that the above scientific evidence does not necessarily contradict religious beliefs.

He reasons that the Bible does not specify the number of ribs Adam initially had. In this context, there is no biblical basis to infer that Adam had the same number of ribs as modern humans, and that his male descendents should be short of a rib after God removed a rib from Adam. The Professor, thus, gives both scientific evidence in support of the theory of evolution, and allows the student to retain religious freedom. He emphasizes that a scientific approach should not be based on assumptions, but must employ logic and observation to arrive at conclusive evidence regarding any theory.

Works Cited.Root-Bernstein, Robert S. “Darwin’s Rib.” Name of your book in italics. Name of editor. Name of Publisher. Date of publication. Place of publication. Page numbers of the book in Which the essay “Darwin’s Rib” appears.